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Scenes From Newcastle West1973

Once a week, from June to September, the ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ crew would arrive at a town or village in Ireland. They would film the people and the place, and return to RTÉ where the footage was edited to form the opening sequence for the latest edition of 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly' .

People the length and breadth of the country tuned in to see if it was the turn of their town or village to have its few minutes of fame. On 12 May 1973 it is Newcastle West’s turn in the limelight.

People don’t seem to pay too much attention to the cameras as they go about their business on the streets of the town.

The main landmarks are recorded for posterity the War of Independence Memorial near the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the town’s Post Office, the river Arra and Desmond Banqueting Hall, and the Market Square.

Frank Hall's amusing and satirical series began on 29 September 1971 with the full title "Hall's Pictorial Weekly Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator" which became known as "Hall's Pictorial Weekly".

The series allowed Frank Hall to follow his own interest in the lives of viewers throughout the country.
Regarded as RTE's flagship comedy show, it featured satirical sketches on current news stories and popular culture, as well as parody songs, comedy sketches, re-edited videos, cartoons and spoof television formats. The show ran for 9 series until 1980.

In the RTE Guide on the week of its first transmission, Frank Hall wrote ""the form and content of Hall's Pictorial Weekly should be impossible to forecast until the last moment. It should be as varied and absorbing as life itself". He further commented ""I have an inexhaustible interest in the lives and times of the people who live in our country towns and villages; no event is too small to capture my attention, no community too out of the way... This programme is intended to be about you, your town, your friends, your local interests." (RTE Guide, September 24, 1971, Vol.8, No.9, p.2)

This episode of ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ was broadcast on 12 May 1973.

RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Ireland's National Public Service Broadcaster.RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Images courtesy of Inpho.ie and Getty Images.